"Let Us Also Go"

With the exceptions of Peter and Paul, we know very little about the men who would serve as the ambassadors of Christ. There are plenty of fanciful traditions and pseudo writings regarding these men but little biblical historical evidence. This is certainly true of the one known as Thomas. Yet, there are a few things we know about “Thomas, which is called Didymus” (meaning, “the twin” (Jho. 11:6; 20:24; 21:2). Outside of the general events which record Thomas’ activities with the disciples there are three occasions in which Thomas occupies a vital speaking role.

In the first passage (John 11), when Jesus learned that His friend Lazarus was dead at Bethany, He announced that He intended to go there and “awake him” (v. 11). Now these were perilous times in the Lord’s public ministry, because His enemies were set to kill Him (v. 8). When Thomas saw that Jesus was willing to take that risk, he said, to fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (v. 16). What great faith!

The second speaking role was (John 14), when Jesus said He was about to leave the disciples, but that they knew where He was going and they also knew the way. Thomas asserted that they did not know where He was going and therefore they could not know the way (v. 5). Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the father but by me” (v. 6). What remarkable misunderstanding!

The best-known passage about Thomas (John 20), relates his reaction to the resurrection. After missing the resurrection-day meeting when the risen Christ appeared to the other apostles (v. 24), he declared to them that he would not believe them unless he could put his “finger into the print of the nails” and thrust his “hand into his side” (v. 25). It is because of his absence, that Thomas has been branded, “Doubting Thomas”. Why was Thomas absent that day? Was he fishing? Working? Did he have company? We will not know this side of eternity. What we do know is this: Thomas did not miss out on the events of the resurrection of Lazarus or the Last Supper. And even though he did not miss out on the resurrection of Jesus, he did miss out on the events of the resurrection evening. Thomas, was the only apostle save Paul, one born out of due time (1 Cor. 15:8), not to see Jesus on the resurrection day. What a bitter-sweet absence!

We can learn many great lessons from Thomas. First, every event in which the saints are gathered together in His name has the potential of being a great event. Don’t miss out by being absent from the worship and work of the church. Second, even a man of great faith can miss out on an important event simply by not participating. So, as Thomas would tell his fellow disciples, “Let us also go” (11:16).

Red Oak, Texas

Campaign begins Saturday, June 16th with door to door invitations: invitations to attend the tent meeting (begins Sunday, June 17th at 7:30 PM); invitations to study God's Word; invitations to obey the Gospel.

We will continue with the door to door invitations and the tent meeting each day from Monday, June 18th through Friday June 22nd

In Theaters

It is a rare thing for a preacher these days to be able to say "recommend" movies. But there are a few movies that may be "worth" seeing.

Let me know what you think of the movies...

From Slaughterhouses to Sodas

Pepsi products should be banned from every country around the globe! They are using the kidneys of aborted babies to produce flavor enhancers for their drinking products. Don't forget what caused mad cow disease. Slaughter houses fed cattle the remains of dead cows mixed with their regular food. 'Nuff said.

Support Oklahoma Senate Bill #1418
Senator Ralph Shortey
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 514A
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-5557
shortey@oksenate.gov

An Open Door

While researching restoration history in Clay County, Missouri, I found some very interesting information in the records of the Liberty Christian Church, formerly the Church of Christ where Moses E. Lard preached between 1853 and 1857.

During the Civil War (sic), when Liberty was under the command of Federal Troops, an order had been issued by the commander that no public meetings of any nature were to be held in town. This included services of the church. Dr. W. A. Morton, a staunch southern sympathizer, was determined to keep the church doors open. The first Sunday morning the order was in effect, Dr. Morton came to the meeting house and opened the doors, preparing for the morning service, as usual. Word of this action spread rapidly through the town, reaching the ears of the commanding officer. The latter immediately sent an aide to the meeting house bearing orders that no services were to be held. The soldiers rode up to the church, found Dr. Morton, and said, “I have orders from the officer in charge of this community that there is to be no meeting here today.” Dr. Morton replied at once, “I thank you, sir, but I have orders from a higher officer than yours to have services, and we plan to obey His command.” The aide withdrew, and services were held, not only that Sunday, but every succeeding Sunday thereafter.

When word reached other members of the community that the church had met, they, too, decided to meet the next Sunday. This group was restrained from meeting, however, because the officer told them that, “If it was not worthwhile to have services last Sunday, it is not worthwhile to have services today.” The matter was closed, and the Liberty Church of Christ holds the distinction of being the only church to have services during the period of occupation by the Federal Troops.

If we were issued this same order today, would we close our doors as some of them did, or would we have the courage to stand for the truth as these brethren did and “obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29)?

Bill Goring